Mekobaun A2 Group

Mekobaun A2 Group is a group of eight farmers in Bokong Village, Taebenu Subdistrict - Kupang District of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Bokong Village is situated about 27 km and a two-hour drive from Kupang City. The community in this village, including the group members, leans on agricultural products to support their family lives. They also depend on animal husbandry (pigs, chickens and cows) when meeting family needs for a particular moment (e.g. they could sell their livestock to pay a child’s education fees or when one of their family members is unwell).

Most of community in Bokong Village has a background in farming. They usually sell their agricultural products, such as bananas, coconuts and beans, at Inpres Market. The challenge that the community faces in running their businesses is the lack of public transport to reach Inpres market as it only available three days a week, whereas the local market in this area only operates on Tuesdays.

Mekobaun A2 Group is led by Petrus A., a 60-year-old farmer. Petrus is respected by the group members as he has the ability to lead and also has constructive thoughts. He was born and grew up in Bokong Village. He is married to Agustin and they have five children: Jumlina A., who is 33, graduated from University and married; Sarce, who is 29 and working in Malaysia; Becy A., who is 26 and a senior high school graduate who spends her days helping her parents on the farm; Julianus A., who is a 24-year-old junior high school graduate and motorcycle taxi driver; and Welem A. , who is 22 and in the third semester of the university.

In order to fulfill his family's daily needs, Petrus plants cassavas, corns, bananas and beans. His family is relying on the agricultural products and this is the reason why Petrus should work hard. Currently, Petrus has to finance Welem’s education at the university. Petrus also raises pigs and goats to be sold so he can pay his son’s education fees. Petrus' wife, Agustin, also helps him to generate more income by weaving cloth to be sold but the income generated by Petrus and Agustin is not enough to meet their family's needs.

Petrus got information that TLM Foundation provides loans to assist poor farmers like him. Together with the other community members who are interested in joining the program, they formed a group to receive a loan so they can buy young cattle to be fattened over a 12-month period. Petrus is requesting a loan amounting to IDR 3,400,000 from TLM to buy young cattle. The other group members are also requesting a loan to buy young cattle. They hope the profits that will be generated in the future will help them in improving their living standard and providing a better future for their children.

Additional Information

About Tanaoba Lais Manekat

This loan is administered by Tanaoba Lais Manekat (TLM). TLM is a microfinance institution that seeks to improve the quality of life of poor communities in the province of Nusa Tenggara Timur in Indonesia. TLM has been operating since 1995 and, in addition to providing microloan and savings services, provides client training on financial management and entrepreneurship.

TLM’s head office is based in Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia. Kupang is the capital city of Nusa Tenggara Timur province in eastern Indonesia. Nusa Tenggara Timur is the province with the least favorable social and economic statistics of all the 33 Indonesian provinces.

This is a Group Loan

In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a larger group of individuals. The group is there to provide support to the members and to provide a system of peer pressure, but groups may or may not be formally bound by a group guarantee. In cases where there is a group guarantee, members of the group are responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members in the case of delinquency or default.

Kiva's Field Partners typically feature one borrower from a group. The loan description, sector, and other attributes for a group loan profile are determined by the featured borrower's loan. The other members of the group are not required to use their loans for the same purpose.